childs



(No Model.) 3 Sheets.-Sheet 1.

W. J. ROOT'& W. GHILDS.

CENTER BOARD. No. 319,930. I Patented J une.9, 1885.

N. PETERS, Vholo-Lilhogmpher. Vlzllhingtovl. D C,

(No Model.)

' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. J. ROOT & W. OHILDS.

CENTER BOARD.

Patented June 9, 1885.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet '3 r W. J. ROOT 81; W, OHILDS.

' CENTER BOARD.

Patented June 9, 1885.

N. PETERS. PhMlrl-llhogmphar Wuhmgton D C.

- UNITE STATES \VILLIAM J ROOT AND \VILLIAM OHILDS, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE RADIX MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

CENTER-BOARD.

SPECIFIQATIQN forming part ofLetters Patent No. 319,930, dated June 9, 1885.

Application filed May 27, 1884. (No modeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM J. B001: and \VILLIAM CHILDs, citizensof the United States, residing in the city ofBrooklyn, county of Kin gs, and State of New Yorlghave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Genter-Boards, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to that class of center-boards which are composed of a number of sections pivoted together and arranged in such manner that they can be spread, so as to present a large surface to the water when the r board is in use, and folded together, so as to be housed in a very small space, either within the boat or beneath its bottom, when the board is not in use.

It is the object of the invention to provide aboard of this character which shall be stronger and more effective, and at the same ti me capable of more easy and perfect manipulation, and less liable to become fouled or get out of proper working order than those heretofore in common use.

To this end the invention consists in various details of construction and combinations of parts for attaining the desired results, all of which will be hereinafter fully explained, and

0 particularly pointed out in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a center-board constructed according to the present invention, the sections composing the 5 board being shown distended or in the position that they will occupy when the board is in use. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a different form of rod for. spreading and folding the sections. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the sections folded together or in the position they will occupy when the board is not in use. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the distended board. Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken upon the line 00 x of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 is an en- 5 larged sectional elevation of the stuffing-box, through which the rod for spreading and folding the sections of the board passes. Fig. 7 is a similar view taken upon the linear w of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken upon the line 00 as of Fig. 7. Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are views upon an enlarged scale, showing details which will be hereinafter referred to. Fig. 14 illustrates another form of stuffingbox, which may be used with the rod shown in Fig. 1. 7

Referring to said figures, it will be seen that the board consists of a number of independent sections, A, which are pivoted at their forward ends to a rod, B, supported between a pair of narrow plates, 0, secured to the bot- 6c tom of the boat, or in a recess formed in the keel or keelson D. Each of the sections A, except the bottom one, is composed of two plates, a, which are secured to each other at their upper edges by means of short tie-rods 2 of the form shown in Fig. 11, which are securely riveted to the plates.

By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the rods 2 by which the plates a forming the several sections are united, are of different lengths, so that the plates forming the different sections are held at different distances from each other in such manner that'when the sections are folded together, as shown in Fig. 3, they will lie one within another and between 7: the plates 0, so as to form little or no projection below the bottom of the boat.

The number of rods 2 by which the plates forming each section of the board are united may be varied according to circumstances,but each section should always have a sufficient number of these tie-rods to insure-the firm holding together of the plates, so as to make the board as stiff and rigid as possible.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen 8 5 that the rods 2, which unite the plates forming the several sections, are placed in such position with relation to each other that when the board is folded to the position shown in Fig. 3 these rods will lie side by side in the same horizontal plane; and it will also be observed that the plates forming each section are provided with recesses, which are of such length as to receive the tie-rods of all the sections above, so that when the board is in its folded condition the lower edges of all the sections will be upon the same line. These tie-rods, in addition to giving strength and rigidity to each section of the board,also serve as a means for raising and holding the several sectionsin IOO their raised position when the board is not in use, as will be hereinafter explained.

It will readily be seen that a board thus constructed,in addition to its capability of being readily folded into a small compass when not in use, possesses the advantage of being perfectly smooth and uniform upon itsoutside when spread into form for use, so as to afford no obstruction to its passage through the water, and is also of the same form upon both sides, so that it will not in the least affect the steering of the boat. By making each section of the board of two plates, as just described, a board is also provided which is equally strong upon either tack,as no matter on which tack the boat is sailing the sections are all held together and supported by each other.

In order to give still greater strength and stiffness to the several sections of which the board is composed, and also to prevent grass or other matter from finding its'way into the space between the plates composing the sections, and thus affording an obstruction to the spreading and folding of the board,th e plates forming each section are provided at their rear ends with cross-plates 4, which are securely riveted to the sections by means of the projecting lugs 5. These plates 4 are bent at their upper and lower ends, as best shown in Figs. 9 and 10, so as to form flanges 6 7,which project in opposite directions, and are in such position that when the sections of the board are spread, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, they will engage with each other,so as to force and hold the several sections downward in their distended condition, and also entirely close the opening at the rear end of' the board.

The lowermost section of the board, which, as before stated, consists of a single plate,and is consequently not provided with one of the cross-plates 4, is provided at its upper edge with a projection, 8, which engages with the flange 7 of the cross-plate 4 on the next section above it, while the housing-plates C are provided at their rear ends with a cross-plate, 24, having a forwardly-extending flange which engages with the flange 6 of the cross-plate of the upper sections, all as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The board thus constructed is spread and folded or lowered into and raised from operative position by means of a rod, 9, which is located between the plates forming the several sections,and is secured to thelowermost section at a point somewhat in the rear of'the middle of its length and extends upward, terminating with a suitable handle inside the boat. Where the rod 9 passes through the bottom of the boat it is surrounded by a suitable stuffing-box, which serves to form a watertight joint around the rod. The rod 9 will preferably be provided with a joint, as 11, located a suitable distance above its point of attachment to the lower section of the board, which will permit the rod, after the board has been raised to the position shown in Fig. 3. to be turned down either to the front or rear, so as to lie entirely out of the way along the bottom of the boat. When the rod is thus turned down, the portion just above the joint will lie across the top of the stufling-box, as also shown in Fig. 3, so as to hold the board in its raised position. The rod 9 may be provided with a number of holes, located at different points along its length, through which a pin can be inserted. so as to hold the board in a partially-unfolded condition when it is desired to expose only a part of the board to the water, or when the use of a board of full size is not necessary. When the board is applied to boats of large size, so that it will be necessary or desirable to employ tackle to raise the board, the joint 11 may be dispensed'with, as in such case the rod will usually extend upward along the side of the mast, and there will consequently be no objection to its remaining in an upright position.

It will be seen that in the act.of folding and changed. To permit this constant change inthe position of its lower end without causing it to bind in the stuffing-box, the rod is made of the curved form shown in Figs. 1 and 14. When the rod is made of this form, an ordinary stationary stufliug-box may be employed, as shown in Fig. 14; but in order to secure the most free and perfect action of the rod, it is preferable that the stuffing-box should be capable of a slight oscillation, as shown in Fig. 1, as the box will then be capable of accommodating itself to the rod, so as to prevent the latter from binding in case it should be imperfectly curved, or should become sprung or bent in using. T0 effect this movement of the stuffing-box, it is.1nounted upon a plug,12, (see Figs. 6, 7, and 8,) which is arranged in a shell, 13, similar in construction to the shell of an ordinary cook. The plug 12 may be hollow, as shown in the present case, or it may be cast solid, with only an opening through it to permitthe passage of the rod 9, and it will be provided with the usual nut, 14, and washer 15, by which it can be tightened in the shell, so as to form a water-tight joint. The shell 13 is provided at its bottom with an opening, 16, of sufficient size to permitthe. rod 9 to have the necessary amount of oscillation, and at its top with an opening, 17, of sufficient size to receive the stufling-box, and also to allow said box to have the necessary amount of oscillatory movement.

The stuffing-box is of substantially the usual construction, consisting of a cup-shaped body, 10, of sufficient size to receive the packing material around the rod, a follower, 18, which fits around the rod and presses downward upon the packing material, and an annular nut, 19, which screws onto the body and holds the follower in place.

The rod 9 may be of any desired form in cross-section, but will preferably be of rootangular form, and of considerably greater width than thickness, as by making it of this form a very'stiff and strong rod is secured within dimensions that will permit of its being readily introduced between the plates which form the nextto the lower section of the board. When the-rod is made of this form, the opening in the nut 19 must of course be of a dianieter equal to or somewhat greater than the greatest diameter of the rod.

When a stuffing-box of this character is employed, the rod 9 may be rigidly secured to the lowermost section of the board, as shown in Fig. 1; but to secure the greatest ease and freedom of action the rod will preferably be pivotally secured to the lower section, as shown in Fig. 14. \Vhen the rod is connected to the lower section in this manner, and is also provided with ajoint, as 11, to permit of its being folded down so as .to lie along the bottom of the boat when the board is raised, it

has been found in practice thatin pushing the rod downward to spread the sections it will, if the sections fail to turn freely upon their pivot, sometimes double upon the joint 11, so as to fail to spread the board to itsfull extent. To prevent this doubling of the rod, the joint or pivot by which it is attached to the lower section of the board is constructed as follows: The lower end of the rod is bifurcated, and is arranged to embrace a ing or projection, 20, extending upward from the lower section, and is provided with a large flat pin, 21, which passes through an opening, 22, formed in said projection, as shown in Figs. 12 and l3. By reference to Fig. 12 it will be seen that after the pin 21 has turned a certain distance in the opening 22 it will be arrested by the shoulders formed upon the sides of said opening, thus preventing the rod from moving farther in that direction, and making the rod practically rigid for the purpose of forcing the sections of the board downward, while allowing said rod to have sufficient movement to prevent undue friction in the stuffing-box.

When an oscillating stuffing-box is used, 'it is not absolutely necessary that the rod 9 should be of the curved form shown in Figs. 1 and 14, though such form is preferable. It may be straight, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the stuffing-box being made capable of sufficient oscillation to prevent the rod from binding.

A center-board thus constructed and arranged will be operated as follows: \Vhen it is desired to use the board, the rod 9(if jointed) will be turned up from the bottom of the boat and pushed downward through the stuffingbox, the plug 12 upon which the box is mounted (if the stuffing-box is an oscillating one) rocking sufficiently during this operation to allow the rod to assume different angles with relation to the bottom of the boat as its lower end is carried through the arc of a circle by the lower section of the board. If any of the sections should stick between the housing-plates O, or fail to turn freely upon the rod B, the flanges 6 7 and the projection 8. engaging with each other, as shown in Figs.

1 and 2, will cause all of the sections to be forced downward to the proper position. When it is desired to raise the board, the rod 9 will be drawn upward through the stuffing box, thereby raising the lower section against the tie-rods 2 of the section next above, so as to raise said section, which in turn will be brought against the tierods 2 of the section next above, and so on until all the sections have been drawn up one within another and between the housing-plates O, as shown in Fig. 3. By then turning the rod downward onto the bottom of the boat all of the sections will be held in their raised position. If, instead of entirely raising the board, it should be desired to only reduce its area, it may be raised as far as desired, and a pin then inserted through one of the openings with which the rod 9 may be provided, so as to hold the board in that position.

The plates constituting the several sections of the board may be made of any of the materials usually employed for such purposes, but galvanized sheetiron or sheet brass will usually be found best adapted for the purpose. In some cases, however, where great strength is required, it may be desirable to form these plates of steel.

The number of sections of the board and their width will depend upon the size of the board required and the character of the boat to which it is to be applied. It will usually of course be found most desirable to make the sections comparatively narrow, so that when they are folded together they will occupy but little space.

A board constructed in the manner described can be secured to the boat so as to lie entirely beneath the bottom, orit can be placed in a recess formed in the keel or keelson. In the former case the board, when folded, will project only the width of the plates 0 below the bottom of the boat, and this projection will be so slight as to he unobjectionable in many cases. In the latter case it may be located so that, when folded, it will form no projection below the bottom of the, boat, and when located in arecess in the keel or keelson the sides of the recess will form a suitable housing for the sections, so that the plates C may be dispensed with. If the board is so located that when raised the lower edges of the sections will not project below the bottom of the boat, a very small closed well may in some cases be necessary, but owing to the narrownessof the sections this well will not project above the floor of the boat, and consequently will not be objectionable,

WVhat'we claim is- 1. The combination, with acenter-board composed of a number of sections pivoted at one end in a recess in the keel or keelson of theboat, each of said sections, except the lower one, consisting of two plates, as a, of a rod attached to the lower one of said sections and extending upward between the plates of the other sections and through the bottom of the boat for folding and spreading said sections, and a stuflingbox for forming a watertight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

2. A center-board composed of a number of pivoted sect-ions, as A, each of which sections, except thelower one, is composed oftwo plates, as a, which are united at their rear ends by cross-plates, which serve to inclose the space within the board, substantially as described.

3. A center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, as A, each of which sections, except thelower one, is composed oftwo plates, as a, which are united at their rear ends by the cross-plates 4, having the flanges 6 7, substantially as described.

4. A center-board composed of a number of pivottd sections, as A, each of which sections, except the lower one, is composed of two plates, as a, which are rigidly united to each other at their upper edges by one or more tie-rods, as 2, and each of which sections, except the upper one, is provided with a recess or recesses for receiving said tie-rods when the sections are folded together, substantially as described.

5. A center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, as A, each of which sections, except the lower one, is composed of two plates, as a, which are rigidly united to each other at their upper edges by one or more tierods, as 2, and at their ends by cross-plates, as 4, having flanges, as 6 7, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, as A, each of which sections, except the lower one, is composed of two plates, as a, united at their rear ends by cross-plates, as 4, of a rod, as 9, secured to the lower one of said sections, and extending upward inside the other sections and through the bottom of the boat, and a stuffing-box for forming a watertight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, as A, each of which sections, except the lower one, is composed of two plates, as a, united at their rear ends by cross-plates, as 4, of a rod, as 9, secured to thelower one of said sections, and extending upward inside the other sections and through the bottom of the boat, and having ajoint, as 11, by which it can be folded down onto the bottom of the boat, and a stuffing-box for forming a water-tight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with a center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, of a curved rod, as 9, secured to one of said sec tions and extending upward through the bottom of the boat, and a stufling-box for forming a water-tight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with a center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, of a rod, as 9, secured to one of said sections and extending upward through the bottom of the boat, and an oscillating stufling-box for form ing a water-tight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with a center-board. composed of a number of pivoted sections, of a curved rod secured to one of said sections and extending upward through the bottom of the boat, and an oscillating stuifing-box for forming a water-tight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

11. The. combination, with a centerboard composed of a number of pivoted sections, each of which sections, except the lower one, is composed of two plates, as 'a, which are rigidly united to each other, of the curved rod 9, secured to one of said sections and extending upward between the others and through the bottom of the boat, and a stufling-box for forming a watertight joint around said rod, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with a center-board composed of a number of pivoted sections, of a jointed rod, as 9, passing through the bottom of the boat, for raising and lowering said sections, a stuffing-box for forming a watertight joint around said rod, and the pivotal connection, as 21 22, between said rod and the lower section of the board, whereby said rod is permitted to oscillate for a limited distance, but no farther, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. J. ROOT. WM. OHILDS. Witnesses:

J. A. HOVEY,

T. H. PALMER. 

